Woods goes for ‘US slam’

Masters and US Open champion Woods, the first man in 30 years to achieve that double, lost his bid for the calendar-year Grand Slam with a career-worst 81 in the stormy third round of last month’s British Open.

But Woods does not lack for motivation. The 26-year old superstar could capture his ninth major title, halfway to Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record, and capture his third PGA crown in four years with a triumph here at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

“I have had a great year,” Woods said. “Any time you can win one major in a year it’s going to be a successful year. Winning two in one year has been even better. I would like to make it three.”

Woods, who has won seven of the past 12 majors, admitted there is a let-down in the PGA atmosphere — even with a majors record 98 of the world’s 100 top-ranked on hand — because so many fans hoped he would be going for the Grand Slam.

Many fans who discovered golf with Woods lack the historic perspective on winning majors — a hard feat Tiger makes look easy.

“It’s unbelievably difficult. It’s the toughest conditions, the best players, in the world,” Woods said. “It’s tough. It really is tough.”

Just ask Woods’ playing partners in today’s opening round — British Open champion Ernie Els of South Africa and defending champion David Toms.

“Give me a bigger set of blinders because there are going to be a lot of things going on, a lot of people out there,” Toms said.